FPL: Differential Picks Who Could Be Game Changers – Gameweek 10

9 game weeks into the season and FPL in full swing, have you fallen 30-40 behind the leader of your mini-league?  There’s already a template team getting formed with Haaland, Cancelo, and Trippier, among others, basically in every team. We’ve got 5 players whose ownership is 5% or under who could be game-changers for your FPL team and rocket you up your mini-league.

5. Granit Xhaka (3.5% ownership)

Xhaka looks like a man reborn this season. His smile is back on his face, he looks like he’s enjoying his football, and Arsenal is hugely benefiting from this. He is no longer just a sitting defensive midfielder but now plays a more progressive role. He has the license to move up the field and get involved in the action in front of the goal.

From the heat map, you can see the kind of spaces he has been occupying this season. In this new role, he has already gotten 2G and 3A for the season. He’s been taking 1.17 shots/90 and making 3.3 shot creating actions. Priced at just £5.1m, he could be a cheap entry into the Arsenal midfield. The only thing to consider is that Arsenal blanc in GW12, so ensure you have cover for that week.

4. Marc Guehi (1.8% ownership)

Crystal Palace have been unlucky this season, their results don’t reflect their performances. They played really well against Arsenal, led City 2-0 at one point, drew against Liverpool, and were beaten by a stoppage-time winner against Chelsea. With the tough games now out of the way, they’re on a run of favourable fixures, facing Leeds, Leicester, Wolves, and Everton in their next 4 games.

Given Palace’s lack of points at the start of the season, Guehi suffered a price drop. For managers looking to buy him right now, it is great news, as we’re getting a really good defender on a solid run of fixtures at just £4.3m. 

3. Roberto Firmino (3.9% ownership)

Darwin’s arrival was supposed to spell the end of Firmino’s time as a regular in the Liverpool team. Well, Bobby took that personally. 5G and 3A, including a hat trick, showed us that he wasn’t finished yet. Currently, he is averaging 1.04 goals, 3 shots, and 1.9 key passes per game. His presence makes Liverpool tick and enables them to play the style of football they are accustomed to playing.

This season he has been one of the only players at Liverpool who has shone. He has picked up the slack and ensured Liverpool don’t fall too far behind the pack chasing City and Arsenal. He is also their top point-scorer in FPL this season. With Arsenal, Man City, and West Ham in their next three fixtures, it isn’t the best run of fixtures, but you never know when Liverpool might kick into gear.

2. Antony (5% ownership)

For all the ridicule and doubts Antony faced when he arrived at Old Trafford, his performances have been pretty good. Talk about a baptism of fire, having to face Arsenal and Manchester City in his first two Premier League games. He scored in each of them and could have gotten more.

His link-up play with the likes of Sancho, Rashford, and Fernandes surely would have the United faithful salivating. A bit of a gamble as United is set to face Everton, Newcastle, and Tottenham in their next 3 games. Priced at £7.5m, the Brazilian is worth a punt. 

1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (1.6% ownership)

After a rather tepid start to life at Chelsea for Aubameyang in Tuchel’s final few games in charge, the Gabonese striker has been back to his scintillating best. In his last 3 games, he has scored twice and gotten an assist as well. He has created a good partnership with sterling and Mount, and he looks set to be the no9 for Potter’s Chelsea team.

With Mitrovic and Isak injured and Haaland set to miss GW12, Auba could be a good option especially given Chelsea’s fixtures. Wolves, Villa, and Brentford are up next for the Blues, and Auba could get some serious returns here.